Friday, April 18, 2025

Red Earthenware Recovered as Part of the Archaeology of the Circa 1679 John Balch House in Beverly, Massachusetts

There will be a lot of never before published archaeology included as part of my 500-600 page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers and Peabody, Massachusettshttp://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/04/an-introduction-to-archaeology-of-circa.html. I am anticipating a late 2025 or 2026 publication date.

This information will be included as part of Chapter 19 in the forthcoming book, "...The John Balch (1600-1648) House in Beverly, Massachusetts is one of the oldest wood-frame houses in the United States. Balch was born about 1600, in Bridgwater, Somerset, England. He and his wife, Margery Balch (1600-1636) were the parents of at least three sons and three daughters, some of whom were born in England, while others were born in America. The family migrated to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1623, and soon after moved to Beverly.

Balch gained title to the land that the house stands on today on November 11, 1635, through the "Thousand Acre Grant" and apparently was living on this property by 1636. 

However, in 2006, dendrochronological analysis dated the earliest portion (the right-hand side) to 1679. The southern portion of the house was built in 1721.

Nevertheless, archaeology was conducted at the Balch in 1998, where archaeologists uncovered a number of examples of domestic red earthenware. Some of the sherds were adorned with slip; some of the slip was applied on top of a black glaze, which was a technique produced in Charlestown, Massachusetts before the American RevolutionIt was likely created to appear like some of the pottery made in Staffordshire, England during the period.

However, this may have also been a type produced in the Danvers and Salem, Massachusetts area since similar glazed wares were recovered at the site of the circa 1687-1709 James Kettle Pottery in Salem Village (see Chapter 1)."

The Archaeology of the John Balch House in Beverly, Mass.

The Circa 1679 John Balch House in Beverly, Mass.
Archaeology was Conducted on this Property in 1998
See Article for More Information
American Black Glazed Red Earthenware Sherds with Slip
Recovered on the Property of the John Balch House
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Historic Beverly

Archaeology of the James Kettle Pottery in Salem Village
Circa 1687-1709 Black Glazed Sherd with Slip and Kiln Brick
Recovered at the Site of the James Kettle Pottery in Salem Village
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute

Colonial Archaeology from Charlestown, Mass.
18th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Sherds with Slip Decoration
Recovered at the Site of the Parker Family Pottery in Charlestown, Mass.
Circa 1754-1755
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program
18th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot with Slip Decoration
Recovered at the Site of the Three Cranes Tavern in Charlestown, Mass.
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program
18th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Sherd with Slip Decoration
Recovered at the Site of the Three Cranes Tavern in Charlestown, Mass.
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

No comments: